Christian Pilgrims To Pay N358,000 This Year

The Federal Government has okayed an exchange rate of N146 against the US dollar for both Muslims and Christians for this year’s intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem respectively, with Christian pilgrims expected to pay N358, 000, as against the over N400, 000 paid last year. John Kennedy Okpara, Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission disclosed this on Wednesday in Lafia.

He said that President Goodluck Jonathan approved the slashing of the cost of travelling for
Christian pilgrims to between 12 and 20 per cent depending on whether a pilgrim is going to Rome or Jerusalem.
Okpara who was in Nasarawa state on a sensitisation visit, preparatory to the 2013 Christian pilgrimage, equally told Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura that for the first time a sitting president will be perform the Holy pilgrimage as Jonathan has indicated his intention to travel to Jerusalem this year on pilgrimage.

While lauding Al-makura’s development strides, Okpara the Governor to liaise with the state officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to identify wealthy Christians in the state and prevail on them to sponsor more pilgrims who will go and pray for the state during their stay at the holy land.

He said, “we are using pilgrimage as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation.
“We believe that if people are morally and spiritually transformed, they can assist you to sustain what you are doing now.”
Okpara said that the Commission had listed 350 pilgrims to benefit from this year’s exercise from Nasarawa but appealed to the Governor to increase the number.

Responding, Al-makura said he had taken it upon himself to build a bridge of understanding between Christians and Muslims in the state, stressing that promoting religious harmony is one of the cardinal objectives of his government.
He said it has been a dual responsibility of his office as governor to ensure equality among the adherents of the two religions regarding the distributions of the perquisites of government, stressing that, “when
given an opportunity, I will chose to give a Christian brother a favour than my Muslim brother because as the Governor of the state, the religion I profess is my calling.
“People who belong to that religion know our idiosyncrasies but I should struggle to see how my brothers in the other faith have confidence in me.”